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FAT POWER

FAT ACTIVISM SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE, SAYS CHARLOTTE COOPER

Riots not diets! Charlotte Cooper (below) takes to the streets

I have a new book out, it’s called Fat Activism: A Radical Social Movement, published in the UK by HammerOn Press. There is a lot that has been written or said about obesity, a term I use to describe the idea that fat is a disease that needs to be cured, but that’s not what this book is about at all. Instead I have written about how doing fat activism can change the world. In recent years there has been an explosion of fatshion (fat + fashion) and body positivity, mostly online. But one of the things I discovered whilst researching this book is that most fat activists are historically isolated from each other and newbies usually think that they’re the first to do fat activism. Yet the movement has been going for at least 40 years and, I argue, has strong roots in radical lesbian feminism; indeed, queers remain at its cutting edge today. In fact, fatshion and body positivity is the tiniest tip of the iceberg, fat activism is actually a social movement with enormous breadth and potential that should be of interest to anybody concerned with social change.

About DIVA Magazine

In the new issue Ellen Page talks to us – and you – about coming out and playing gay in her new movie Freeheld, alongside the great talent that is Julianne Moore.
We've also spoken to Carrie-Ann Moss (AKA Trinity from The Matrix) about her role as a lesbian lawyer in the new Netflix series Jessica Jones.
Our First Ladies feature looks at the world's most influential LGBT political figures in the corridor of power.
Charlotte Cooper talks Fat Power and why fat activism is important to anyone who cares about social change.
Sarah Outen shares her rowing home to marry story.
Also in this issue:
Alicya Eyo
Bi-commodification
Cherry Jones
Sober Start
Margaret Cho
Find Your Balance
Big Joanie
Stay protected online
Plus all the very best in life, scene, books, film, music and TV.